You can enjoy this Baltimore specialty at home with just two ingredients.
Lemon peppermint sticks are a part of a summer tradition in Baltimore that traces back to the early 1900s. A soft peppermint stick is placed into half a lemon and the stick functions as a straw to suck up the lemon juice. The sugar from the peppermint tempers the sourness of the lemon, making it taste like lemonade. Lemon peppermint sticks can be found at farmers' markets, ice cream shops and roadside stands around Maryland, but they're easy to make at home.
First, you'll need some ripe lemons. Cut them in half, or if you want a larger treat cut the top off of one of the narrow sides. For the peppermint sticks, you'll need a soft stick, (not a candy cane) like Bob's or King Leo. If you can’t find them in a store, try Amazon (I may get a commission from this link).
Place the peppermint stick into the flesh of the lemon and suck. Some people like to chill their lemon peppermint sticks in the refrigerator for a while, but it's up to you. You could also make a cocktail version of this treat by squeezing lemon juice into a glass with ice and vodka and adding in the peppermint stick.
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